http://www.blacktree.tv
Mason Richards sits down with
Director George Tillman Jr. to discuss his new movie
FASTER staring
Billy Bob Thornton and
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.
GEORGE TILLMAN, JR. (Director)
After seeing the film,
Cooley High,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin native
George Tillman, Jr. became inspired to make films of his own. In
1994,
George wrote and directed his first feature film,
Scenes For The
Soul. It was shot entirely in
Chicago, using local talent and resources. The film, which cost $
150,
000 to make, caught the attention of
Doug McHenry and
George Jackson who acquired it for
Savoy Pictures for $1 million.
Following the momentum of this success, George began to write a script, loosely based on his own life--Soul
Food.
Soul Food began production on
November 6th,
1996 on a hectic 30-day schedule with a cast that included
Vanessa Williams,
Vivica A. Fox,
Nia Long,
Mekhi Phifer,
Michael Beach,
Irma P. Hall, and
Brandon Hammond. Modestly budgeted at $7 million, Soul Food opened to critical and financial success, grossing over $43 million domestically. As a result, George and his producing partner, Bob Teitel, landed a two-year, first look deal at
Fox 2000.
State Street Pictures became their company's new name—a reference to their earlier years as a filmmaking team in Chicago.
George's next directorial effort was
Men Of
Honor, an epic story inspired by the life of
Carl Brashear, a man who battled the obstacles of racism, a lack of education, and the loss of his leg to become the
United States Navy's first African-American
Master deep sea diver. The film starred
Oscar winning actors
Cuba Gooding, Jr. and
Robert De Niro with an ensemble cast that included
Charlize Theron,
Michael Rapaport,
Lonette McKee,
Glynn Turman, and
Hal Holbrook. The film opened nationwide on
November 10th 2000 and grossed $85 million worldwide.
After the success of Men Of Honor, George ventured into producing. In addition to his role as
Executive Producer of the beloved "Soul Food: The
Series" for
Showtime Networks, George co-produced with partner, Bob Teitel the
MGM film
Barbershop.
Tim Story directed the comedy, about a day in the life of a
Southside Chicago barbershop. The film starred
Ice Cube,
Anthony Anderson,
Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve and
Cedric The Entertainer. Widely praised by moviegoers and critics alike, Barbershop opened on
September 13th,
2002 to record-breaking box office success. With a domestic gross upwards of $75 million, Barbershop has become the most profitable African-American themed film of all time.
Hot on the heels of Barbershop came the sequel
Barbershop 2:
Back In Business. It was released
February 6th, 2004. The film, directed by
Kevin Rodney Sullivan, was number one in an opening weekend that was even bigger than its predecessor, raking in more than $24.2 million. The success of the two films spurred two more spin-offs:
Beauty Shop, starring
Queen Latifah,
Kevin Bacon,
Alicia Silverstone and
Djimon Hounsou, as well as a television show based on the original film that was made for
Showtime.
George, together with partner Bob Teitel, followed up the success of the Barbershop franchise with the
Fox Searchlight/Fox 2000 film
Roll Bounce in
2005. The 70s-inspired coming-of-age comedy featured an all-star cast led by
Bow Wow,
Chi McBride,
Khleo Thomas,
Mike Epps,
Meagan Good,
Nick Cannon and
Kellita Smith. The film was directed by
Malcolm D. Lee.
George stepped back into the director's chair in
2007 to direct the biopic
Notorious at Fox Searchlight. This edgy telling of slain rapper Notorious
B.I.G.'s life proved to be the perfect vehicle for George's directorial style and finesse.
Starring the unknown
Jamal Woolard as
Christopher "
Notorious Big"
Wallace, the film also boasts strong talent such as
Derek Luke as
Sean "Puffy" Combs,
Oscar nominated
Angela Bassett as Voletta Wallace and
Anthony Mackie as
Tupac Shakur. The film opened to 23 million dollars in
January 2009.
A BlackTree
Media Production
Produced by Jamaal
Finkley
Associate Producer Mason Richards
On Camera Host Mason Richards
http://www.blacktree.tv A BlackTree Media Production
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- published: 26 Nov 2010
- views: 4219